Americans crush Malden in finale to keep playoff hopes alive

Can’t slow down Andre during Wednesday’s one-game playoff

Published in the August 10, 2018 edition

By DAN PAWLOWSKI

MELROSE — It was a tale of two games. 

But Wednesday night’s “wild card” play-in game if you will, was one chance to make it into the the Intercity League’s playoffs. 

The Melrose Americans and Andre Chiefs played at Maplewood Park where Melrose had won once before this season, but it wasn’t to be as the Chiefs gave the home fans a 12-3 win.

The two teams tied the season series at 2-2 which is why they needed a play-in game. The Chiefs won the coin toss which granted them home field.

Melrose won the first two matchups (4-1 at Maplewood on June 11 and 12-6 at Morelli on June 13) but the Chiefs won the last two (5-4 at Maplewood on July 2 and 5-3 at Morelli on July 25).

SHAWN SMEGLIN has been a steady presence in the rotation all season for the Americans. Smeglin pitched six innings and allowed just one run against the Maddogs on Wednesday, August 1 at Morelli Field to pick up a much-needed 10-1 win for Melrose. (Donna Larsson Photo)

The game was twice delayed by rain and lightning. An 8 p.m. start time was halted twice during the Americans’ top of the first and finally resumed at 9:50. Melrose got three runs in the first, but Andre would score 12 unanswered to quite literally storm into a first round matchup against the Watertown Reds. 

The Americans three-run first was thanks to a string of singles from Malcolm Nachmanoff, John Jennings, Dave Center and Charlie Huegi. 

Ben Waldrip led the way for the Chiefs hitting a three-run homer to tied the game in the bottom of the first and finishing the game with seven RBIs all-together. 

Andre’s Tim Dunphy took over on the mound after the second rain delay and threw a shutout in 6.1 innings. 

The Americans lived to see another day when they exploded for a 17-3 win over the Malden Maddogs last Friday.

Melrose went off for five runs in each of the first three innings to take an insurmountable lead.

THE AMERICANS have tipped their caps to a John Jennings (34) home run four times this year. Jennings is currently tied for third in the league behind only Leivi Ventura (5) and Johnny Welch (6) both of the Andre Chiefs who the Americans met on Wednesday night for a one-game playoff. The winner will become the number six seed and will move on to play the number three Watertown Reds at Victory Field, with game one of a best of three series taking place last night after press time. (Donna Larsson Photo)

Chris Hopkins went 3-for-5 with a double and two RBIs. Dave Center had two hits and four RBIs. John Jennings had two hits and two RBIs. Eight of ten Melrose batters had at least one hit. Seven of the ten had at least one RBI. Even pitcher Shawn Smeglin came through with a two-RBI base hit during his only at-bat.

Jamie Weiss pitched well to start (3 IP, 4 H, 0 ER, 1 BB, 3 K) and was replaced by Mike Peters who gave up just one hit and no runs in two innings. Jake Whistler and Aran Hamilton Grenham closed the game.

It was the second win in three days against the Maddogs for the Americans who beat Malden last Wednesday at Morelli, 10-1.

Shawn Smeglin picked up his third win of the season in that game, scattering six hits and allowing one run while striking out four in six innings of work. Ronnie Luke closed it.

It was another balanced effort from the bats.

Jennings cleared the loaded bases with a single during the 5th inning; the three RBIs from that at-bat lead the team. Hopkins, Charlie Huegi and Will Shackelford each had two RBIs to pace the offense.

The Americans lost their second-to-last game of the regular season to the Wakefield Merchants on Thursday, 2-0. Despite a great effort from starter Chris Mitchell (7 IP, 8 H, 2 ER, 1 BB, 3 K), the Americans were shut out by Wakefield’s Mike Andrews.

The Americans finished the season at 13-16 overall. After starting the season as one of the hottest teams in the league with an 8-2 record in their first 10 games, Melrose couldn’t find enough consistency during the dog days to stay at the top of the standings. 

Catcher John Jennings finished the season as one of the best hitters in the league. He had a league-high 28 RBIs. His slugging percentage was also best in the league at .659. He hit .424 which was fourth in the ICL. His 36 hits was second in the league; his four homers tied for third. Chris Hopkins (.395, 2 HR, 18 RBI) and Dave Center (.329, 3 HR, 21 RBI) were also near the top of the league in many batting categories.